Recommend me an Android phone < $450 for a teenager?

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ShinyChrome

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#2791716 8-Oct-2021 10:58

The link is using an overseas model 9T with the MediaTek Dimensity 800u, whereas the one linked from PB Tech is a lower-tier Snapdragon 662 than the A52's 720g.

In general, I would not put a lot of stock in those scores, unless he planning on doing any mobile gaming on it; beyond a point, for day-to-day usage it is down to the optimization of the OS that matters more, and One UI is pretty good these days.

Notably (**hyuck**), the Note 9T has a slow IPS LCD screen, as opposed to the higher refresh rate AMOLED screens on both the A52 (90hz HRR) and Redmi Note 10 Pro (120hz HRR) above. The A52 also has a under-display fingerprint reader, as well as IP67 rating that might be of concern for usability.

elpenguino

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#2791770 8-Oct-2021 12:58

GV27:

+1 on the Galaxy A52.

Word.

Mrs Penguino just got one - the A52 is water resistant, unlike her Nokia which went for a short but fatal swim in a small pool.

Camera on the A52 seems pretty sweet.

The Android One set up on the Nokias is nice and clean and the Samsung doesn't match it there, alas.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

jonathan18

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#2791779 8-Oct-2021 13:15

Yeah, the IP rating for the A52 is certainly an advantage for my son (my MIL also killed her Nokia 7+ via a dunking!). A pity PB Tech only has the black in stock as the blue and purple look nice.

Personally, I’m happy with One UI over Android One - I like the features and aesthetics and find the speed etc fine, which isn’t something I’d ever have said in relation to TouchWiz. I guess having a clean OS is more benefit, performance-wise, with lower-spec’d phones.

Does anyone know if the A52 comes with any kind of case? I’m assuming not, but assume it has a plastic screen protector.

PolicyGuy

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#2791786 8-Oct-2021 13:34

jonathan18:

Yeah, I hear what you're saying, but I'm pretty comfortable I know him well enough, and have had enough conversations about technology and phones, to not end up with a dud if purchased without his direct involvement.

He's turning 14; like many/most boys of that age he doesn't look after things particularly well, so he's gonna have to have it in a robust case whatever the phone is, and that typically makes even the sexiest svelte phone look not too different to the most basic brick! It'll be his first new phone (the previous two being hand-me-downs), so that alone will be a big thing.

The Xcover5 (https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPHSAM155250/Samsung-Galaxy-Xcover-5-2021-Rugged-Dual-SIM-Smart) is more rugged than most

elpenguino

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#2791794 8-Oct-2021 13:49

jonathan18: Does anyone know if the A52 comes with any kind of case? I’m assuming not, but assume it has a plastic screen protector.

Mrs Penguino's A52 came with no case. We declined the $50 offering at Leemings and got one from Aliexpress for ~$10.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

MarkM536

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#2792515 9-Oct-2021 23:26

For myself, I got a Motorola E5. $200 at the time, then down to $130 before EOL.

There's many other cheap Motorola phones at this price point.

Robust, makes calls, texts and takes decent photos. It does all the social media stuff fine, a little slow for camera intensive apps like Snapchat.

Motorola stuff also doesn't have too much 'bloatware' apps and modified android features.

A member of the family has a Motorola G8, that's excellent for the price point. I see PB tech has the G9 at $350 (reviews are decent).

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jonathan18

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#2792603 10-Oct-2021 06:48

Ended up picking up an A52 from PB Tech yesterday; of course, got back and found someone selling one here on GZ! That’s all good, as I’m sure my son will want a different type of case.

Thanks all for the ideas, people; while we’ve ended up spending quite a bit more than initially hoped, I think it’s worth it as it pretty much removes any compromises of the cheaper models we’d been looking at, let alone the benefits like a decent IP rating and a quality bright AMOLED screen. I’m sure my son will be stoked with the phone.

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